Fluid dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A fluid dispenser ( 5, 105 )is disclosed having a housing ( 9, 109 )and a pump action fluid discharge device ( 8, 108 ). The pump action fluid discharge device ( 8, 108 ) is arranged to be actuated by a pair of opposing levers ( 20, 21 ); ( 120, 121 ) which are pivotally connected to part of the housing ( 9, 109 ). When the levers ( 20, 21 ); ( 120, 121 ) are squeezed together the fluid discharge device ( 8, 108 ) is urged towards a nozzle ( 11, 111 ) causing a single dose of fluid to be dispensed from the nozzle ( 11, 111 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is filed under 35 U.S.C. §371 as the United StatesNational Phase Application of International Application No.PCT/EP03/04857 filed May 7, 2003, which claims priority to GBApplication No. 02110605.2 filed May 9, 2002.

The present invention relates to a medicament dispenser and inparticular to fluid dispensing device for use as a nasal inhaler.

It is well known to provide a medicament dispenser in which fluid isdispensed via a nozzle or orifice upon the application of a force by auser to an actuation lever or button. Such devices may be arranged todispense a single dose or may alternatively be arranged with a reservoircontaining several doses to be dispensed. An example of such a pumpaction spray is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,769.

It is a problem with such a prior art spray that because only one fingeractuated member is used to causing spraying some of the applied force iswasted. this is because the reaction force applied to the device tocounteract the force applied to the finger actuated member is usedmerely to hold the dispenser stable and is not utilised for pumpingfluid.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fluid dispensing devicethat is easier to use and in particular a device which provides a moreefficient dispensing of fluid.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fluiddispensing device for spraying a fluid into a body cavity comprising ahousing, a nozzle for insertion into a body cavity, a fluid dischargedevice moveably housed within the housing, the fluid discharge devicecomprising a container for storing the fluid to be dispensed and acompression pump having a suction inlet located within the container anda discharge outlet for transferring fluid from the pump to the nozzleand finger operable means to apply a force to the container to move thecontainer towards the nozzle so as to actuate the pump wherein thefinger operable means comprises of two opposing levers each of which ispivotally connected to part of the housing and is arranged to act uponthe container so as to urge the container towards the nozzle when thetwo levers are squeezed together by a user.

The two levers may act upon a base portion of the container.

Advantageously the fluid dispensing device may include a pre-load meanswhich prevents movement of the two levers until more than apre-determined force has been applied to the levers.

The fluid discharge device may have a longitudinal axis and each of thelevers may have an abutment surface arranged at an angle to thelongitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device for abutment against abase portion of the container so as to convert a force applied to thelevers substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device into a force along the longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device.

The nozzle may have a longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of thefluid discharge device may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of thenozzle.

The fluid discharge device may have a longitudinal axis and at leastpart of the surface of a base portion of the container may be inclinedat an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fluid dischargedevice so as to form an inclined surface, the or each inclined surfacebeing arranged to be acted upon by the levers so as to convert a forceapplied to the levers substantially transversely to the longitudinalaxis of the fluid discharge device into a force along the longitudinalaxis of the fluid discharge device.

The inclined surface of the base portion of the container may be aconical surface, a frusto-conical surface or a spherically shapedsurface.

Alternatively, the base portion of the container may have two inclinedsurfaces each arranged for co-operation with a respective one of thelevers.

The container may have two or more supports to allow the container to bestood up on the base portion.

In accordance with one embodiment of the first aspect of the inventionthe housing and the nozzle are made as a single a plastic component.

Each of the levers may be pivotally connected to part of the housing bya respective living hinge.

The housing may have a front wall, a rear wall and two opposing sidewalls and each of the levers is pivotally connected to a respective oneof the two side walls by a living hinge.

At least one of the front wall and the rear wall may have an aperturetherein to view the level of the fluid in the container.

There may be apertures in the front and rear walls to view the level ofthe fluid in the container.

The discharge outlet from the pump may be a tubular delivery tube and atubular guide may be formed within the nozzle to align and locate thedelivery tube correctly with respect to the nozzle.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the inventionthe housing comprises of a plastic cover member and a plastic bodymember.

The fluid dispensing device may include a means to prevent inadvertentmovement of the two levers when not in use.

The means may be a portion of the cover member which overlies an endportion of each lever.

The nozzle may be formed as an integral part of the body member.

At least a part of the nozzle may be moulded from a soft-touch plasticsmaterial. The body member may be fastened within the cover member sothat the nozzle projects from one end of the cover member.

Each of the levers may be pivotally connected to the body member.

Preferably, each of the levers may be pivotally connected to the bodymember by a living hinge.

Alternatively, each of the levers may be pivotally connected to thecover member. The discharge outlet from the pump may be a tubulardelivery tube and a tubular guide may be formed within the body memberto align and locate the delivery tube correctly with respect to thenozzle.

The cover member may comprise of two cover shells joined together at oneend by an annular ring.

The body member may be engaged with the annular ring to fasten the covermember to the body member.

There may be a snap connection between the annular ring and part of thebody member to fasten the body and cover members together.

Each of the cover shells may have an aperture formed therein from which,in use, a part of a respective one of the levers projects.

The part of each lever which projects from the aperture may be a ribbedfinger grip. A part of each lever may be moulded from a soft-touchplastics material.

Preferably, the part of each lever may be moulded from a soft-touchplastics material is the ribbed finger grip.

At least one longitudinal edge of each cover shell may have a recessformed therein and the recesses may co-operate to define a windowthrough which the level of the fluid in the container can be checked.

Preferably, both longitudinal edges of each cover shell may have arecess formed therein and the recesses may co-operate to define twowindows on opposite sides of the housing through which the level of thefluid in the container can be checked.

A protective end cap for the nozzle may be connected to the annularring.

The protective end cap may be arranged to be biased to a closed positionor may alternatively be biased to an open position.

The end cap, the annular ring and the two cover shells may be made as aone piece plastic component.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fluiddischarge device for use in a fluid dispensing device in accordance withthe first aspect of the invention wherein the fluid discharging devicecomprises of a container for storing a fluid to be dispensed and acompression pump attached to one end of the container, the pump having asuction inlet located within the container and a discharge outlet fortransferring, in use, fluid from the pump to a nozzle wherein the fluiddischarge device has a longitudinal axis and the container has a baseportion at least part of which is inclined at an angle with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device.

The inclined surface of the base portion of the container may be aconical surface, a frusto-conical surface or a spherical surface.

Alternatively, the base portion of the container may have two opposinginclined surfaces.

The container may have two or more supports to allow the container to bestood up on the base portion.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a housingassembly for a fluid discharge device, the housing assembly comprising ahousing for moveably supporting the discharge device, a nozzle extendingfrom the housing for insertion into a body cavity and finger operablemeans to apply, in use, a force to the fluid discharging device whereinthe finger operable means comprises of two opposing levers to apply, inuse, a force to the fluid discharging device so as to actuate the fluiddischarge device and supply fluid to the nozzle.

According to one embodiment of the third aspect of the invention thehousing and the nozzle are made as a single a plastic component.

The levers may be pivotally connected to part of the housing.

Preferably, each of the levers may be pivotally connected to part of thehousing by a living hinge.

According to a further embodiment of the third aspect of the inventionthe housing comprises of a plastic cover member and a plastic bodymember and the nozzle is formed as an integral part of the body member.

The body member may be fastened within the cover member so that thenozzle projects from one end of the cover member.

Each of the levers may be pivotally connected to the body member.

Preferably, each of the levers may be pivotally connected to the bodymember by a living hinge.

Alternatively, each of the levers may be pivotally connected to thecover member. A tubular guide may be formed within the body member toalign and locate, in use, a delivery tube of the fluid discharge devicecorrectly with respect to the nozzle.

The cover member may comprise of two cover shells joined together at oneend by an annular ring.

The body member may be engaged with the annular ring to fasten the covermember to the body member.

Each of the cover shells may have an aperture formed therein from which,in use, a part of a respective one of the levers projects.

The part of each lever which projects from the aperture may be a ribbedfinger grip.

At least one longitudinal edge of each cover shell may have a recessformed therein and the recesses may co-operate to define a windowthrough which the level of the fluid in the container can be checked.

Both longitudinal edges of each cover shell may have a recess formedtherein and the recesses may co-operate to define two windows onopposite sides of the housing through which the level of the fluid inthe container can be checked.

A protective end cap for the nozzle may be connected to the annularring.

The end cap, the annular ring and the two cover shells may be made as aone piece plastic component.

Each of the levers may have an inclined abutment surface for abutment,in use, against the fluid discharge device so as to convert a forceapplied to the levers substantially transversely to a longitudinal axisof the fluid discharge device into a force along the longitudinal axisof the fluid discharge device.

The invention will now be described further with reference to theaccompanying drawing in which:—

FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a first embodiment of a fluiddispensing device according to the invention in a ready for use state;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the fluid dispensing device shown in FIG. 1 ina closed or stored condition with the fluid dispensing device laid onone side;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the fluid dispensing device shown in FIG. 2 inthe direction of arrow ‘V’ on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but showingthe insertion of a fluid discharge device according to a second aspectof the invention into a housing assembly according to a third aspect ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 1 but showing thefluid dispensing device in use;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial representation as viewed from a front right handcorner of a second embodiment of a fluid dispensing device according tothe invention in a stored state with a protective end cap in place;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 but viewed from a front lefthand corner showing the fluid dispensing device in a ready for use statewith the protective end cap removed;

FIG. 7 a is a scrap view of part of the fluid dispensing device shown inFIG. 7 showing a modification to the device;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged pictorial view from the front and above of a topportion of the fluid dispensing device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a body member forming part of the fluiddispensing device shown in FIG. 7 in a pre-assembled condition;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of a cover member forming part of the fluiddispensing device shown in FIG. 7 in a pre-assembled condition; and

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of the body member shown in FIG. 9 in apartly assembled condition in which a fluid discharge device accordingto the second aspect of the invention has been inserted.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown a first embodiment of afluid dispensing device 5 for spraying a fluid into a body cavitycomprising a housing 9, a nozzle 11 for insertion into a body cavity, afluid discharge device 8 moveably housed within the housing 9, the fluiddischarge device 9 comprising a container 30 for storing the fluid to bedispensed and a compression pump 29 having a suction inlet 32 locatedwithin the container 30 and a discharge outlet 31 for transferring fluidfrom the pump 29 to the nozzle 11 and finger operable means 20, 21 toapply a force to the container 30 to move the container 30 towards thenozzle 11 so as to actuate the pump 29. The finger operable means beingin the form of two opposing levers 20, 21 each of which is pivotallyconnected to part of the housing 9 and is arranged to act upon a baseportion 35 of the container 30 so as to urge the container 30 towardsthe nozzle 11 when the two levers 20, 21 are squeezed together by auser.

In more detail the fluid dispensing device 5 comprises of a plasticmoulded body 6 and the fluid discharge device 8 and further comprises ofa protective end cap 7 having an inner surface for engagement with thebody 6 to protect the dispensing nozzle 11.

The body 6 is made from a plastic material such as polypropylene anddefines a housing 9 and a dispensing nozzle 11 so that the housing 9 andthe nozzle 11 are made as a single plastic component.

The housing 9 defines a cavity 10 formed by a front wall 12, a rear wall13 and first and second end walls 14 a, 14 b. The dispensing nozzle 11is connected to one end of the housing 9, extends away from the housing9 and has an external tapering form. It will be appreciated that theshape of the housing need not be oval it could be cylindrical or anyother convenient shape.

At least one of the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 has an aperture28 therein to view the level of the fluid in the container 30 and in theembodiment shown there are apertures 28 in the front and rear walls 12,and 13 to view the level of the fluid in the container 30.

The discharge outlet from the pump 29 is in the form of a tubulardelivery tube 31 and a tubular guide in the form of an outlet tube 16 isformed within the nozzle 11 to align and locate the delivery tube 31correctly with respect to the nozzle 11.

An annular abutment 17 is formed at the end of the outlet tube 16. Theannular abutment 17 defines the entry to an orifice 15 through whichfluid can flow in use and is arranged for abutment with an end of thedelivery tube 31.

The fluid discharge device 8 has a longitudinal axis X-X and each of thelevers 20, 21 has an abutment surface 22, 23 arranged at an angle θ tothe longitudinal axis X-X of the fluid discharge device 8 for abutmentagainst a base portion 35 of the container so as to convert a forceapplied to the levers 20, 21 substantially transversely to thelongitudinal axis X-X of the fluid discharge device 8 into a force alongthe longitudinal axis X-X of the fluid discharge device 8.

This arrangement allows a standard fluid discharge device to be usedwithout modification.

The nozzle 11 has a longitudinal axis Y-Y and the longitudinal axis X-Xof the fluid discharge device 8 is aligned with the longitudinal axisY-Y of the nozzle 11. This has the advantage that when the pump 29 isactuated the force applied to the tubular delivery tube 31 is along theaxis of the tubular delivery tube and no bending or deflection of thedelivery tube 31 will occur due to the applied force.

At least part of the surface of the base portion 35 of the container 30is inclined at an angle φ with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X ofthe fluid discharge device 8 so as to form an inclined surface, the oreach inclined surface being arranged to be acted upon by the levers 20,21 so as to convert a force applied to the levers 20, 21 substantiallytransversely to the longitudinal axis X-X of the fluid discharge device8 into a force along the longitudinal axis X-X of the fluid dischargedevice 8.

Although in the disclosed embodiment both the levers and the containerhave surfaces inclined to the longitudinal axis of the fluid dischargedevice and that in the disclosed embodiment the angle θ is approximatelyequal to the angle φ this need not be the case. Only the container orthe levers need have an inclined surface or some other arrangement toapply the force from the levers to the container could be used.

The base portion 35 of the container 30 has two inclined surfaces 37, 38each arranged for co-operation with a respective one of the levers 20,21.

However it will be appreciated that the inclined surface of the baseportion of the container could be a conical, frusto-conical or partspherical surface.

The inclined surface 37 is arranged to co-operate with the abutmentsurface 22 and the inclined surface 38 is arranged to co-operate withthe abutment surface 23.

The abutment surface 22 is formed by an edge of a web 24 formed as partof the lever 20 and the abutment surface 23 is formed by an edge of aweb 25 formed as part of the lever 21.

A pre-loading means in the form of small ridge (not shown) is formednear to the end of each abutment surface 22, 23. In the ready for useposition this lies against a side of the container 30 at the juncture ofthe side of the container with the base portion 35. The purpose of thisridge is to prevent the levers 20, 21 from moving the container 30 untilmore than a pre-determined load has been applied to the levers 20, 21.Once this pre-determined load is exceeded the pressure being applied tothe levers is such that the container is very rapidly moved towards thenozzle 11. This prevents the levers 20, 21 being slowly squeezedtogether which will not produce a uniform spray and if done very slowlywill merely cause the fluid to dribble out of the nozzle 11. However itwill be appreciated that many alternative mechanisms could be employedto produce this pre-load effect and that the pump itself could beprovided with such a device that needs to be overcome.

Each of the levers 20, 21 is pivotally connected to part of the housing9 by a respective living hinge. In the embodiment shown each of thelevers 20, 21 is pivotally connected to a respective one of the two sidewalls 14 a, 14 b by a respective living hinge 26, 27.

The fluid discharge device 8 is in most respects conventional and willonly be described briefly herein.

The fluid discharge device 8 has a hollow container 30 defining areservoir containing several doses of the fluid to be dispensed and acompression pump 29 attached to one end of the container 30.

The container 30 as shown is made from a translucent or transparentplastics material however it will be appreciate that it could be madefrom other translucent or transparent materials such as glass.

The container has two or more supports to allow the container to bestood up on the base portion 35 and as shown two supports 40, 41 aremoulded as an integral part of the container 30. These supports areuseful in that, because the base portion 35 is made up of two inclinedsurfaces 37, 38, it could not normally be stood up vertically. The pump29 includes a plunger (not shown) slidingly engaged within a pump casing34 which defines a chamber (not shown) sized to accommodate a singledose of fluid. The plunger is attached to the tubular delivery tube 31which is arranged to extend from one end of the pump 29 for co-operationwith the outlet tube 16 of the dispensing nozzle 11. The plungerincludes a piston (not shown) slidably supported in the chamber formedin the pump casing 34.

The fluid is discharged through a discharge channel defined by thetubular delivery tube 31 into the orifice 15 of the dispensing nozzle11.

The size of chamber is such that it accommodates a single dose of fluid,the diameter of the chamber and piston combined with the stroke of theplunger being such that a full stroke of the plunger in the chamber willproduce a change in volume equal to a single dose of fluid.

The pump casing 34 is connected to the container 30 such that when thepiston is moved by a return spring (not shown) into a start position anew dose of fluid is drawn into the cylinder via the suction inlet inthe form of a pick-up tube 32 from the container 30 ready for discharge.

The tapering form of the base portion 35 of the container 30 isadvantageous in that it allows the pick up tube 32 to collect, withoutspecial orientation of the container, more fluid than if a flat bottomedcontainer is used.

The end cap 7 is a tubular component which is closed at one end and hasa thin flexible side wall which defines a cavity into which the nozzle11 is engaged to protect the nozzle 11 from damage.

It is envisaged that the end cap may be attached to the body by aflexible strap or tether which could be moulded as part of the end capor the end cap and the body could be made as a single component.

Assembly and operation of the fluid dispensing device is as follows.

FIG. 4 shows the fluid dispensing device 5 in a partly assembled statein which the two levers 20, 21 have been moved into a loading positionto allow the fluid discharge device 8 to be inserted into the cavity 10in the housing 9.

From the position shown the fluid discharge device 8 is moved upwardlyuntil the delivery tube 31 fully engages with the outlet tube 16. Thetwo levers 20, 21 are then folded down into the position shown in FIG. 1such that end portions of the abutment surfaces 22, 23 abut gentlyagainst the inclined surfaces 37, 38 of the container 30. The levers 20,21 in this position are used to hold the fluid discharge device 8 withinthe housing 9.

If required the container 30 or the pump casing 34 could be slidablyengageable with one or more support structures (not shown) to assistwith the location and retention of the fluid discharge device 8 in thehousing 9.

As shown in FIG. 5, a user first grasps the fluid dispensing device 5 bythe two levers 20, 21. Provided that only a light pressure is applied tothe levers 20, 21 no fluid will be discharged and the user is able tomanoeuvre the dispensing nozzle 11 of the fluid dispensing device 5 intothe body orifice into which fluid is required to be dispensed. This isbecause of the presence of the pre-loading means.

If the user then squeezes the two levers 20, 21 together with increasingforce the pre-determined load of the pre-loading means will eventuallybe overcome and the interaction of the abutment surfaces 22, 23 with theinclined surfaces 37, 38 will then cause the container 30 to be movedrapidly towards the nozzle 11 as indicated by the arrow ‘M’ on FIG. 5.

However, the abutment between the end of the delivery tube 31 and theannular abutment 17 will prevent movement of the delivery tube 31 in thesame direction. This effect of this is to cause the delivery tube 31 topush the plunger into the pump casing 34 thereby moving the piston ofthe pump in the cylinder. This movement causes fluid to be expelled fromthe cylinder into the delivery tube 31. The fluid forced into thedelivery tube is then transferred into the orifice 15 from where it isexpelled as a fine spray into the body orifice.

Upon releasing the pressure applied to the levers 20, 21 the deliverytube 31 is urged out of the pump casing by the internal return springand causes fluid to be drawn up the pick-up tube 32 to re-fill thecylinder.

The actuating procedure can then be repeated until all of the fluid inthe container has been used. However, only one or two doses of fluid arenormally administered at a time.

When the container is empty a new fluid discharge device 8 is loadedinto the housing 9 thereby restoring the fluid dispensing device 5 intoa useable condition.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 11 there is shown a second embodiment of afluid dispensing device for spraying a fluid into a body cavity which isin many respects similar to that previously described.

The fluid dispensing device 105 comprising a housing 109, a nozzle 111for insertion into a body cavity, a fluid discharge device 108 moveablyhoused within the housing 109, the fluid discharge device 108 comprisinga container 130 for storing the fluid to be dispensed and a compressionpump 129 having a suction inlet located within the container 130 and adischarge outlet for transferring fluid from the pump 129 to the nozzle111 and finger operable means 120, 121 to apply a force to the container130 to move the container 130 towards the nozzle 111 so as to actuatethe pump 129. The finger operable means is in the form of two opposinglevers 120, 121 each of which is pivotally connected to part of thehousing 109 and is arranged to act upon the container 130 so as to urgethe container 130 towards the nozzle 111 when the two levers 120, 121are squeezed together by a user.

In more detail, the housing 109 comprises of a plastic cover member 110and a plastic body member 106 both of which are moulded from a suitableplastic material such as polypropylene. It will be appreciated that theshape of the housing need not be oval it could be cylindrical or anyother convenient shape.

The nozzle 111 is formed as an integral part of the body member 106 andthe body member 106 is fastened within the cover member 110 so that thenozzle 111 projects from one end of the cover member 110. The outersurface or a part of the outer surface of the nozzle could be made froma soft-touch plastics material.

The cover member 110 comprises of two cover shells 118 a, 118 b joinedtogether at one end by an annular ring 119.

A protective end cap 107 for the nozzle 111 is connected to the annularring 119 such that the end cap 107, the annular ring 119 and the twocover shells 118 a, 118 b are made as a one piece plastic component. Theprotective end cap may be moulded and arranged so as to be biased to aclosed position or may alternatively be biased to an open position.

The protective end cap 107 has an inner surface for engagement with thebody 106 to protect the dispensing nozzle 111. Two detents 149 areprovided on the inner surface of the end cap 107 to releasably hold theend cap 107 in place when it is in its protective position. The end cap107 has a tubular sealing means 140 which is arranged for engagementwith a recess 141 in the end of the nozzle 111 so as to prevent leakagefrom the nozzle 111 when the end cap 107 is in place.

Each of the cover shells 118 a and 118 b is of a semi-cylindrical shapeand has two longitudinal edges 112, an end edge 113 and two transverseedges 116. At least one longitudinal edge 112 of each cover shell 118 a,118 b has a recess 114 formed therein. The recesses 114 co-operate todefine a window 150 through which the level of the fluid in thecontainer 130 can be checked.

In the embodiment shown and described both longitudinal edges 112 ofeach cover shell 118 a, 118 b have a recess 114 formed therein and therecesses 114 co-operate to define two windows 150 on opposite sides ofthe housing 109 through which the level of the fluid in the container130 can be checked.

Each of the cover shells 118 a, 118 b has an aperture 145 a, 145 bformed therein from which, in use, a part of a respective one of thelevers 120, 121 projects. The part of each lever 120, 121 which projectsfrom the aperture 145 a, 145 b is a ribbed finger grip 146 formed at theopposite end of each lever 120, 121 from where it is hingedly connectedto the body member 106. A part of each lever and in particular thefinger grips may be moulded from a soft touch plastic material.

As is shown in FIG. 7 a the fluid dispensing device includes a means toprevent inadvertent movement of the two levers when not in use. Themeans is a portion of each cover member 118 a, 118 b which overlies anend portion of each lever 120, 121. More specifically, each of the covershells 118 a, 118 b extends around the base portion of the cover toprovide an overlying shield 200. The shields 200 act as a means toprevent inadvertent movement of the two levers 120, 121.

The advantage of this construction is that accidental operation of thedispensing device when it is carried in a bag or pocket or generally isless likely to occur because the bottom portions of the levers 120, 121are covered and specific finger pressure has to be applied. It will beappreciated that a physical locking mechanism could also oralternatively be provided to prevent accidental movement of the twolevers 120, 121.

The body member 106 is engaged with the annular ring 119 to fasten thecover member 110 to the body member 106. The body member 106 has acylindrical portion for engagement with the annular ring 119.

Two detents 143 are formed on the cylindrical portion and two legs 144are connected near to one end of the cylindrical portion. The detents143 are used to trap the annular ring 119 against the legs 144 andthereby form a snap connection used to fasten the body member 106 to thecover member 110. It will be appreciated that other forms of snapfastening means could be provided.

Each of the levers 120, 121 is pivotally connected to the body member106 by a living hinge 126, 127. The living hinges 126, 127 are formed atthe juncture of the levers 120, 121 with the legs 144.

However, it will be appreciated that the levers could alternatively bepivotally connected to the cover member by a living hinge and that ineither case the invention is not limited to the use of a living hingeother hinge mechanisms could be used.

The discharge outlet from the pump 129 is in the form of a tubulardelivery tube (not shown) and a tubular guide in the form of an outlettube (not shown) is formed within the nozzle 111 to align and locate thedelivery tube correctly with respect to the nozzle 111.

An annular abutment is formed at the end of the outlet tube. The annularabutment defines the entry to an orifice 115 through which fluid canflow in use and is arranged for abutment with an end of the deliverytube.

The fluid discharge device 108 has a longitudinal axis Z-Z and each ofthe levers 120, 121 has an abutment surface 122 (only one of which isvisible in the Figures) arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axisZ-Z of the fluid discharge device 108 for abutment against a baseportion 135 of the container so as to convert a force applied to thelevers 120, 121 substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis Z-Zof the fluid discharge device 108 into a force along the longitudinalaxis Z-Z of the fluid discharge device 108.

This arrangement allows a standard fluid discharge device to be usedwithout modification.

The nozzle 111 has a longitudinal axis P-P and the longitudinal axis Z-Zof the fluid discharge device 108 is aligned with the longitudinal axisP-P of the nozzle 111. This has the advantage that when the pump 129 isactuated the force applied to the tubular delivery tube is along theaxis of the tubular delivery tube and no bending or deflection of thedelivery tube will occur due to the applied force.

At least part of the surface of the base portion 135 of the container130 is inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis Z-Z ofthe fluid discharge device 108 so as to form an inclined surface, the oreach inclined surface being arranged to be acted upon by the levers 120,121 so as to convert a force applied to the levers 120, 121substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis Z-Z of the fluiddischarge device 108 into a force along the longitudinal axis Z-Z of thefluid discharge device 108.

Although in the disclosed embodiment both the levers and the containerhave surfaces inclined to the longitudinal axis of the fluid dischargedevice this need not be the case. Only the container or the levers needhave an inclined surface or some other arrangement to apply the forcefrom the levers to the container could be used.

In accordance with this embodiment the base portion 135 of the containerhas a conical inclined surface 138 arranged for co-operation with thelevers 120, 121.

However, it will be appreciated that the inclined surface of the baseportion of the container could be a frusto-conical or part sphericalsurface or could be comprised of two separate inclined surfaces each forco-operation with a respective one of the levers.

The inclined surface 138 is arranged to co-operate with both abutmentsurfaces 122 of the levers 120, 121.

The abutment surfaces 122 are both formed by one surface of triangularweb 124 formed as part of each lever 120, 121. At the end of eachabutment surface there is formed a pre-loading means in the form of aridge 170 (only one of which is shown). The purpose of this ridge 170 isto introduce a pre-load effect into the mechanism which has to beovercome by applying more than a pre-determined load to allow the fluidto be dispensed.

In the ready for use position this lies against a side of the container130 at the juncture of the side of the container 130 with the baseportion 135. The purpose of this ridge is to prevent the levers 120, 121from moving the container 130 until more than a pre-determined load hasbeen applied to the levers 120, 121. Once this pre-determined load isexceeded the pressure being applied to the levers is such that thecontainer 130 is very rapidly moved towards the nozzle 111. Thisprevents the levers 120, 121 being slowly squeezed together which willnot produce a uniform spray and if done very slowly will merely causethe fluid to dribble out of the nozzle 111. However, it will beappreciated that many alternative mechanisms could be employed toproduce this pre-load effect. For example the angle of contact could besuch that until the levers have been displaced or deflected the force isnot efficiently transferred or the levers could be prevented frommovement by some form of detent mechanism or the pump itself could beprovided with a mechanism that needs to be overcome.

The fluid discharge device 108 is in most respects conventional and willonly be described briefly herein.

The fluid discharge device 108 has a hollow container 130 defining areservoir containing several doses of the fluid to be dispensed and acompression pump 129 attached to one end of the container 130.

The container 130 as shown is made from glass however it will beappreciated that it could be made from other translucent or transparentmaterials such as plastic. The pump 129 includes a plunger (not shown)slidingly engaged within a pump casing 134 which defines a chamber (notshown) sized to accommodate a single dose of fluid. The plunger isattached to the tubular delivery tube which is arranged to extend fromone end of the pump 129 for co-operation with the outlet tube of thedispensing nozzle 111. The plunger includes a piston (not shown)slidably supported in the chamber formed in the pump casing 134.

The fluid is discharged through a discharge channel defined by thetubular delivery tube into the orifice 115 of the dispensing nozzle 111.

The size of chamber is such that it accommodates a single dose of fluid,the diameter of the chamber and piston combined with the stroke of theplunger being such that a full stroke of the plunger in the chamber willproduce a change in volume equal to a single dose of fluid.

The pump casing 134 is connected to the container 130 such that when thepiston is moved by an internal return spring (not shown) into a startposition a new dose of fluid is drawn into the cylinder via the suctioninlet in the form of a pick-up tube from the container 130 ready fordischarge.

The conical form of the base portion 135 of the container 130 isparticularly advantageous in that it allows the pick up tube to collectmore fluid, without special orientation of the container, than if a flatbottomed container is used.

Assembly and operation of the fluid dispensing device is as follows.

The first stage of assembly is to position the levers 120, 121 in theposition shown in FIG. 9 and then insert the fluid discharge device 108into the body member 106.

This is done by engaging the pump casing 134 with a cylindrical bore inthe cylindrical portion of the body member 106 and engaging the deliverytube with the outlet tube such that an end of the delivery tube is inabutment with the annular abutment in the outlet tube. The engagement ofthe pump casing 134 with the cylindrical portion of the body member 106is such that the pump casing 134 is able to slide in the cylindricalbore when a force is applied to the container 130 but is grippedsufficiently to hold the fluid discharge device 108 in position.

FIG. 11 shows the fluid dispensing device 105 in a partly assembledstate after this initial assembly operation in which the fluid dischargedevice 108 has been inserted into the body member 106. The two levers120, 121 have been folded down from the position shown in FIG. 9 into aready for use position such that end portions of the abutment surfaces122 and in particular the ridges 170 are positioned adjacent to a sidewall of the container and near to the inclined conical surface 138 ofthe container 130.

To complete the assembly of the fluid dispensing device 105 thecylindrical portion of the body member 106 is inserted into the annularring 119 and the two parts are snapped together. The two cover shells118 a and 118 b are then folded down from the position shown in FIG. 10into the position shown in FIG. 6.

The abutting transverse edges 116 of the two cover shells 118 a and 118b include complementary detents (not shown) such that when the covershells 118 a, 118 b are pushed together the detents snap together tohold them in the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As an additionalmeasure an adhesive backed label (not shown) can be applied across thejoint between the two cover shells 118 a and 118 b on the base on theassembled fluid dispensing device 105 to prevent the cover shells 118 a,118 b from accidentally snapping open but more importantly to provide anindication that the fluid dispensing device 105 has not been tamperedwith.

To use the fluid dispensing device 105 a user first has to remove theprotective cap 107 (as shown in FIG. 7) and then the user must grasp thefluid dispensing device 105 by the two levers 120, 121 and in particularby the two ribbed finger grips 146.

Provided that only a light pressure is applied to the levers 120, 121 nofluid will be discharged and the user is able to manoeuvre thedispensing nozzle 111 of the fluid dispensing device 105 into a bodyorifice such as a nasal cavity into which fluid is required to bedispensed. This is because of the presence of the pre-load mechanism170.

If the user then squeezes the two levers 120, 121 together withincreasing force the pre-determined load will eventually be exceeded andthe interaction of the abutment surfaces 122 upon the inclined conicalsurface 138 will then cause the container 130 to be moved rapidlytowards the nozzle 111.

However, because of the abutment between the end of the delivery tubeand the annular abutment movement of the delivery tube in the samedirection is prevented and therefore the delivery tube acts so as topush the plunger into the pump casing 134 thereby moving the piston ofthe pump in the cylinder. This causes fluid to be expelled from thecylinder into the delivery tube and then into the orifice 115 from whereit is expelled as a fine spray into the body orifice.

Upon releasing the pressure applied to the levers 120, 121 the deliverytube is urged out of the pump casing by the internal return spring andcauses fluid to be drawn up the pick-up tube to re-fill the cylinder.

The actuating procedure can then be repeated until all of the fluid inthe container has been used. However, only one or two doses of fluid arenormally administered at a time.

When the container 130 is empty a new fluid discharge device 108 isloaded into the body member 106 thereby restoring the fluid dispensingdevice 105 into a useable condition.

It will be appreciated that because the action of squeezing the twolevers together requires the application of equal and opposite forces tobe applied to the two levers the nozzle is less likely to move around orbe displaced when the dose is supplied and the squeezing action tends toproduce a smooth controllable delivery of fluid.

It will be further appreciated that the force supplied to both levers isdirected into the container and so the fluid dispensing device makes amore efficient use of the applied force compared to a single leverarrangement in which some of the force is lost in resisting the appliedforce with no increase in applied force to the container.

It is envisaged that the fluid dispensing device could be sold as twoseparate items. A fluid discharge device could be sold for fitment intoa housing assembly and a housing assembly could be sold into which afluid discharge device could be fitted.

It will be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose ofillustration only and the invention extends to modifications, variationsand improvements thereto.

For example although the two embodiments describe in detail anarrangement in which the two levers act upon a base portion of thecontainer and push it towards the nozzle it would also possible toarrange for the two leavers to pull the container towards the nozzle.The invention is not therefore to be construed as being limited solelyto a device that pushes the container towards the nozzle.

Administration of medicament may be indicated for the treatment of mild,moderate or severe acute or chronic symptoms or for prophylactictreatment. It will be appreciated that the precise dose administeredwill depend on the age and condition of the patient, the particularmedicament used and the frequency of administration and will ultimatelybe at the discretion of the attendant physician. When combinations ofmedicaments are employed the dose of each component of the combinationwill in general be that employed for each component when used alone.

Appropriate medicaments may thus be selected from, for example,analgesics, e.g., codeine, dihydromorphine, ergotamine, fentanyl ormorphine; anginal preparations, e.g., diltiazem; antiallergics, e.g.,cromoglycate (eg as the sodium salt), ketotifen or nedocromil (eg as thesodium salt); antiinfectives e.g., cephalosporins, penicillins,streptomycin, sulphonamides, tetracyclines and pentamidine;antihistamines, e.g., methapyrilene; anti-inflammatories, e.g.,beclomethasone (eg as the dipropionate ester), fluticasone (eg as thepropionate ester), flunisolide, budesonide, rofleponide, mometasone (egas the furoate ester), ciclesonide, triamcinolone (eg as the acetonide),6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-propionyloxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-(2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3-yl)ester or 6α,9α-Difluoro-17α-[(2-furanylcarbonyl)oxy]-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester; antitussives, e.g., noscapine;bronchodilators, e.g., albuterol (eg as free base or sulphate),salmeterol (eg as xinafoate), ephedrine, adrenaline, fenoterol (eg ashydrobromide), formoterol (eg as fumarate), isoprenaline,metaproterenol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pirbuterol (eg asacetate), reproterol (eg as hydrochloride), rimiterol, terbutaline (egas sulphate), isoetharine, tulobuterol or4-hydroxy-7-[2-[[2-[[3-(2-phenylethoxy)propyl]sulfonyl]ethyl]amino]ethyl-2(3H)-benzothiazolone;PDE4 inhibitors eg cilomilast or roflumilast; leukotriene antagonists egmontelukast, pranlukast and zafirlukast; [adenosine 2a agonists, eg2R,3R,4S,5R)-2-[6-Amino-2-(1S-hydroxymethyl-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-purin-9-yl]-5-(2-ethyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-tetrahydro-furan-3,4-diol(e.g. as maleate)]*; [α4 integrin inhibitors eg(2S)-3-[4-({[4-(aminocarbonyl)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl}oxy)phenyl]-2-[((2S)-4-methyl-2-{[2-(2-methylphenoxy)acetyl]amino}pentanoyl)amino]propanoic acid (e.g as free acid orpotassium salt)]*, diuretics, e.g., amiloride; anticholinergics, e.g.,ipratropium (eg as bromide), tiotropium, atropine or oxitropium;hormones, e.g., cortisone, hydrocortisone or prednisolone; xanthines,e.g., aminophylline, choline theophyllinate, lysine theophyllinate ortheophylline; therapeutic proteins and peptides, e.g., insulin orglucagons. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that, whereappropriate, the medicaments may be used in the form of salts, (e.g., asalkali metal or amine salts or as acid addition salts) or as esters(e.g., lower alkyl esters) or as solvates (e.g., hydrates) to optimisethe activity and/or stability of the medicament and/or to minimise thesolubility of the medicament in the propellant.

Preferably, the medicament is an anti-inflammatory compound for thetreatment of inflammatory disorders or diseases such as asthma andrhinitis.

In one aspect, the medicament is a glucocorticoid compound, which hasanti-inflammatory properties. One suitable glucocorticoid compound hasthe chemical name: 6α,9α-Difluoro-17α-(1-oxopropoxy)-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester (fluticasone propionate). Another suitableglucocorticoid compound has the chemical name: 6α,9α-difluoro-17α-[(2-furanylcarbonyl)oxy]-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester. A further suitable glucocorticoid compoundhas the chemical name: 6α,9α-Difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-17α-[(4-methyl-1,3-thiazole-5-carbonyl)oxy]-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester.

Other suitable anti-inflammatory compounds include NSAIDs e.g. PDE4inhibitors, leukotriene antagonists, iNOS inhibitors, tryptase andelastase inhibitors, beta-2 integrin antagonists and adenosine 2aagonists.

The medicament is formulated as any suitable fluid formulation,particularly a solution (e.g. aqueous) formulation or a suspensionformulation, optionally containing other pharmaceutically acceptableadditive components.

Suitable formulations (e.g. solution or suspension) may be stabilised(e.g. using hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide) by appropriateselection of pH. Typically, the pH will be adjusted to between 4.5 and7.5, preferably between 5.0 and 7.0, especially around 6 to 6.5.

Suitable formulations (e.g. solution or suspension) may comprise one ormore excipients. By the term “excipient”, herein, is meant substantiallyinert materials that are nontoxic and do not interact with othercomponents of a composition in a deleterious manner including, but notlimited to, pharmaceutical grades of carbohydrates, organic andinorganic salts, polymers, amino acids, phospholipids, wetting agents,emulsifiers, surfactants, poloxamers, pluronics, and ion exchangeresins, and combinations thereof.

Suitable carbohydrates include monosaccharides include fructose;disaccharides, such as, but not limited to lactose, and combinations andderivatives thereof; polysaccharides, such as, but not limited to,cellulose and combinations and derivatives thereof; oligosaccharides,such as, but not limited to, dextrins, and combinations and derivativesthereof; polyols, such as but not limited to sorbitol, and combinationsand derivatives thereof.

Suitable organic and inorganic salts include sodium or calciumphosphates, magnesium stearate, and combinations and derivativesthereof.

Suitable polymers include natural biodegradable protein polymers,including, but not limited to, gelatin and combinations and derivativesthereof; natural biodegradable polysaccharide polymers, including, butnot limited to, chitin and starch, crosslinked starch and combinationsand derivatives thereof; semisynthetic biodegradable polymers,including, but not limited to, derivatives of chitosan; and syntheticbiodegradable polymers, including, but not limited to, polyethyleneglycols (PEG), polylactic acid (PLA), synthetic polymers including butnot limited to polyvinyl alcohol and combinations and derivativesthereof;

Suitable amino acids include non-polar amino acids, such as leucine andcombinations and derivatives thereof. Suitable phospholipids includelecithins and combinations and derivatives thereof.

Suitable wetting agents, surfactants and/or emulsifiers include gumacacia, cholesterol, fatty acids including combinations and derivativesthereof. Suitable poloxamers and/or Pluronics include poloxamer 188,Pluronic® F-108, and combinations and derivations thereof. Suitable ionexchange resins include amberlite IR120 and combinations and derivativesthereof;

Suitable solution formulations may comprise a solubilising agent such asa surfactant. Suitable surfactants includeα-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]-ω-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)polymers including those of the Triton series e.g. Triton X-100, TritonX-114 and Triton X-305 in which the X number is broadly indicative ofthe average number of ethoxy repeating units in the polymer (typicallyaround 7-70, particularly around 7-30 especially around 7-10) and4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol polymers with formaldehyde andoxirane such as those having a relative molecular weight of 3500-5000especially 4000-4700, particularly Tyloxapol. The surfactant istypically employed in a concentration of around 0.5-10%, preferablyaround 2-5% w/w based on weight of formulation.

Suitable solution formulations may also comprise hydroxyl containingorganic co-solvating agents include glycols such as polyethylene glycols(eg PEG 200) and propylene glycol; sugars such as dextrose; and ethanol.Dextrose and polyethylene glycol (eg PEG 200) are preferred,particularly dextrose. Propylene glycol is preferably used in an amountof no more than 20%, especially no more than 10% and is most preferablyavoided altogether. Ethanol is preferably avoided. The hydroxylcontaining organic co-solvating agents are typically employed at aconcentration of 0.1-20% e.g. 0.5-10%, e.g. around 1-5% w/w based onweight of formulation.

Suitable solution formulations may also comprise solublising agents suchas polysorbate, glycerine, benzyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene castor oilsderivatives, polyethylene glycol and polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers (e.g.Cremophors, Brij).

Suitable solution formulations may also comprise one or more of thefollowing components: viscosity enhancing agents; preservatives; andisotonicity adjusting agents.

Suitable viscosity enhancing agents include carboxymethylcellulose,veegum, tragacanth, bentonite, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, poloxamers (eg. poloxamer407), polyethylene glycols, alginates xanthym gums, carageenans andcarbopols.

Suitable preservatives include quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g.benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetrimide andcetylpyridinium chloride), mercurial agents (e.g. phenylmercuricnitrate, phenylmercuric acetate and thimerosal), alcoholic agents (e.g.chlorobutanol, phenylethyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol), antibacterialesters (e.g. esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid), chelating agents suchas disodium edetate (EDTA) and other anti-microbial agents such aschlorhexidine, chlorocresol, sorbic acid and its salts and polymyxin.

Suitable isotonicity adjusting agents act such as to achieve isotonicitywith body fluids (e.g. fluids of the nasal cavity), resulting in reducedlevels of irritancy associated with many nasal formulations. Examples ofsuitable isotonicity adjusting agents are sodium chloride, dextrose andcalcium chloride.

Suitable suspension formulations comprise an aqueous suspension ofparticulate medicament and optionally suspending agents, preservatives,wetting agents or isotonicity adjusting agents.

The particulate medicament suitably has a mass mean diameter (MMD) ofless than 20 μm, preferably between 0.5-10 μm, especially between 1-5μm. If particle size reduction is necessary, this may be achieved bytechniques such as micronisation and/or microfluidisation.

Suitable suspending agents include carboxymethylcellulose, veegum,tragacanth, bentonite, methylcellulose and polyethylene glycols.

Suitable wetting agents function to wet the particles of medicament tofacilitate dispersion thereof in the aqueous phase of the composition.Examples of wetting agents that can be used are fatty alcohols, estersand ethers. Preferably, the wetting agent is a hydrophilic, non-ionicsurfactant, most preferably polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate(supplied as the branded product Polysorbate 80).

Suitable preservatives and isotonicity adjusting agents are as describedabove in relation to solution formulations.

The dispensing device herein is suitable for dispensing fluid medicamentformulations for the treatment of inflammatory and/or allergicconditions of the nasal passages such as rhinitis e.g. seasonal andperennial rhinitis as well as other local inflammatory conditions suchas asthma, COPD and dermatitis.

A suitable dosing regime would be for the patient to inhale slowlythrough the nose subsequent to the nasal cavity being cleared. Duringinhalation the formulation would be applied to one nostril while theother is manually compressed. This procedure would then be repeated forthe other nostril. Typically, one or two inhalations per nostril wouldbe administered by the above procedure up to three times each day,ideally once daily. Each dose, for example, may deliver 5 μg, 50 μg, 100μg, 200 μg or 250 μg of active medicament. The precise dosage is eitherknown or readily ascertainable by those skilled in the art.

The application of which this description and claims form part may beused as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application.The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any featureor combination of features described therein. They may take the form ofproduct, method or use claims and may include, by way of example andwithout limitation, one or more of the following claims.

1. A fluid dispensing device for spraying a fluid into a body cavitycomprising a housing, a nozzle for insertion into a body cavity, a fluiddischarge device moveably housed within the housing, the fluid dischargedevice comprising a container for storing the fluid to be dispensed anda compression pump having a suction inlet located within the containerand a discharge outlet for transferring fluid from the pump to thenozzle and finger operable means to apply a force to the container tomove the container towards the nozzle so as to actuate the pump whereinthe finger operable means comprises of two opposing levers each of whichis pivotally connected to part of the housing and is arranged to actupon the container so as to urge the container towards the nozzle whenthe two levers are squeezed together by a user; in which the fluiddischarge device has a longitudinal axis and at least part of thesurface of a base portion of the container is inclined at an angle withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device so as toform an inclined surface, the or each inclined surface being arranged tobe acted upon by the levers so as to convert a force applied to thelevers substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device into a force along the longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device.
 2. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 inwhich the fluid discharge device has a longitudinal axis and each of thelevers has an abutment surface arranged at an angle to the longitudinalaxis of the fluid discharge device for abutment against a base portionof the container so as to convert a force applied to the leverssubstantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device into a force along the longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device.
 3. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 2 inwhich the nozzle has a longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis ofthe fluid discharge device is aligned with the longitudinal axis of thenozzle.
 4. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 in which theinclined surface of the base portion of the container is a conicalsurface.
 5. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in 1 in which the baseportion of the container has two inclined surfaces each arranged forco-operation with a respective one of the levers.
 6. A fluid dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 4 in which the container has two or moresupports to allow the container to be stood up on the base portion.
 7. Afluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 in which the housing andthe nozzle are made as a single a plastic component.
 8. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 7 in which each of the levers ispivotally connected to part of the housing by a respective living hinge.9. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 7 in which the housinghas a front wall, a rear wall and two opposing side walls and each ofthe levers is pivotally connected to a respective one of the two sidewalls by a living hinge.
 10. A fluid dispensing device as claimed inclaim 9 in which at least one of the front wall and the rear wall has anaperture therein to view the level of the fluid in the container.
 11. Afluid dispensing device as claimed in 10 in which there are apertures inthe front and rear walls to view the level of the fluid in thecontainer.
 12. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 7 in whichthe discharge outlet from the pump is a tubular delivery tube and atubular guide is formed within the nozzle to align and locate thedelivery tube correctly with respect to the nozzle.
 13. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 1 in which the housing comprisesof a plastic cover member and a plastic body member.
 14. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 13 in which the nozzle is formedas an integral part of the body member.
 15. A fluid dispensing device asclaimed in claim 14 in which the body member is fastened within thecover member so that the nozzle projects from one end of the covermember.
 16. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 14 in whicheach of the levers is pivotally connected to the body member by a livinghinge.
 17. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 13 in which thedischarge outlet from the pump is a tubular delivery tube and a tubularguide is formed within the body member to align and locate the deliverytube correctly with respect to the nozzle.
 18. A fluid dispensing deviceas claimed in claim 13 in which the cover member comprises of two covershells joined together at one end by an annular ring.
 19. A fluiddispensing means as claimed in claim 17 in which the body member isengaged with the annular ring to fasten the cover member to the bodymember.
 20. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 18 in whicheach of the cover shells has an aperture formed therein from which, inuse, a part of a respective one of the levers projects.
 21. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 20 in which the part of each leverwhich projects from the aperture is a ribbed finger grip.
 22. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 18 in which at least onelongitudinal edge of each cover shell has a recess formed therein andthe recesses co-operate to define a window through which the level ofthe fluid in the container can be checked.
 23. A fluid dispensing deviceas claimed in claim 22 in which both longitudinal edges of each covershell have a recess formed therein and the recesses co-operate to definetwo windows on opposite sides of the housing through which the level ofthe fluid in the container can be checked.
 24. A fluid dispensing deviceas claimed in claim 18 in which a protective end cap for the nozzle isconnected to the annular ring.
 25. A fluid dispensing device as claimedin claim 24 in which the end cap, the annular ring and the two covershells are made as a one piece plastic component.
 26. A fluid dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container contains a volume offluid medicament formulation.
 27. A device as claimed in claim 26,wherein said fluid medicament formulation is in the form of a solutionformulation.
 28. A device as claimed in claim 26, wherein said fluidmedicament formulation is in the form of a suspension formulation.
 29. Adevice as claimed in claim 26, wherein the fluid medicament formulationcomprises an anti-inflammatory medicament compound.
 30. A device asclaimed in claim 29, wherein said medicament compound is aglucocorticoid compound.
 31. A device as claimed in claim 30, whereinsaid glucocorticoid compound is selected from the group consisting of6α,9α-Difluoro-17α-(1-oxopropoxy)-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester; 6α,9α-difluoro-17α-[(2-furanylcarbonyl)oxy]-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester; and6α,9αDifluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-17α-[(4-methyl-1,3-thiazole-5-carbonyl)oxy]-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester.
 32. A device as claimed in claim 29, whereinsaid medicament compound is selected from the group consisting of PDE4inhibitors, leukotriene antagonists, iNOS inhibitors, tryptaseinhibitors, elastase inhibitors, beta-2 integrin antagonists andadenosine 2 a agonists.
 33. A fluid discharge device for use in a fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid dischargingdevice comprises of a container for storing a fluid to be dispensed anda compression pump attached to one end of the container, the pump havinga suction inlet located within the container and a discharge outlet fortransferring, in use fluid from the pump to a nozzle wherein the fluiddischarge device has a longitudinal axis and the container has a baseportion at least part of which is inclined at an angle with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device.
 34. A fluiddischarge device as claimed in claim 33 in which the inclined surface ofthe base portion of the container is a conical surface.
 35. A fluiddischarge device as claimed in claim 33 in which the base portion of thecontainer has two opposing inclined surfaces.
 36. A fluid dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 33 in which the container has two or moresupports to allow the container to be stood up on the base portion. 37.A fluid dispensing device comprising a housing assembly for a fluiddischarge device, and a fluid discharge device moveably housed withinthe housing assembly, the housing assembly comprising a housing formoveably supporting the discharge device, a nozzle extending from thehousing for insertion into a body cavity and finger operable means toapply, in use, a force to the fluid discharging device wherein thefinger operable means comprises of two opposing levers to apply, in use,a force to the fluid discharging device so as to actuate the fluiddischarge device and supply fluid to the nozzle; in which the housingcomprises of a plastic cover member and a plastic body member and thenozzle is formed as an integral part of the body member; in which eachof the levers is pivotally connected to the body member by a livinghinge; in which in which the fluid discharge device has a longitudinalaxis and a base portion; and at least part of the surface of the baseportion of the fluid discharge device is inclined at an angle withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device so as toform an inclined surface, the or each inclined surface being arranged tobe acted upon by the levers so as to convert a force applied to thelevers substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device into a force along the longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device.
 38. An assembly as claimed in claim 37 in which thebody member is fastened within the cover member so that the nozzleprojects from one end of the cover member.
 39. An assembly as claimed inclaim 37 in which a tubular guide is formed within the body member toalign and locate, in use, a delivery tube of the fluid discharge devicecorrectly with respect to the nozzle.
 40. An assembly as claimed inclaim 37 in which the cover member comprises of two cover shells joinedtogether at one end by an annular ring.
 41. An assembly as claimed inclaim 40 in which the body member is engaged with the annular ring tofasten the cover member to the body member.
 42. An assembly as claimedin claim 40 in which each of the cover shells has an aperture formedtherein from which, in use, a part of a respective one of the leversprojects.
 43. An assembly as claimed in claim 42 in which the part ofeach lever which projects from the aperture is a ribbed finger grip. 44.An assembly as claimed in claim 40 in which at least one longitudinaledge of each cover shell has a recess formed therein and the recessesco-operate to define a window through which the level of the fluid inthe container can be checked.
 45. An assembly as claimed in claim 44 inwhich both longitudinal edges of each cover shell have a recess formedtherein and the recesses co-operate to define two windows on oppositesides of the housing through which the level of the fluid in thecontainer can be checked.
 46. An assembly as claimed in claim 40 inwhich a protective end cap for the nozzle is connected to the annularring.
 47. An assembly as claimed in claim 46 in which the end cap, theannular ring and the two cover shells are made as a one piece plasticcomponent.
 48. An assembly as claimed in claim 37 in which each of thelevers has an inclined abutment surface for abutment, in use, againstthe fluid discharge device so as to convert a force applied to thelevers substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device into a force along the longitudinal axis of the fluiddischarge device.